Schedule change requests for 2nd semester will conclude on Friday, January 23rd. Schedule change request forms are located in the Counseling Office.
January 4, 2026
Wrapping Up with Purpose, Moving Forward with Pride
As we approach the close of the first semester, I want to take a moment to reflect on the hard work our students, staff, and families have put into making this a successful start to the school year at Patrick Henry Middle School. The end of a semester is an important time for students to pause, assess their progress, and finish strong academically, socially, and behaviorally. It is also a natural transition point as we look ahead to new goals and continued growth in the second semester.
Families play a critical role in helping students end the semester well. Simple actions such as checking grades regularly, encouraging students to complete missing or late work, maintaining consistent routines at home, and talking with your child about what they are proud of and what they want to improve can make a meaningful difference. Reinforcing our school-wide values of being respectful, responsible, and safe at home helps ensure consistency for students across all settings. When students hear the same expectations from both school and home, they are better equipped to meet them.
At Patrick Henry, our values look like:
● Respectful – We speak and act with kindness, valuing one another's differences and contributions.
● Responsible – We own our actions, meet expectations, and take pride in our learning.
● Safe – We care for ourselves and others by making safe choices both inside and outside the classroom.
As we move into the second semester, continued collaboration between families and teachers will be key to ongoing success. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to teachers with questions, concerns, or insights about your child. The PHMS staff value your partnership and perspective. Together, we can support students in building strong habits, staying engaged in learning, and continuing to grow as respectful, responsible, and safe members of our school community. Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to Patrick Henry Middle School!
Jeffrey Noll
December 1, 2025
The December Dash: Keeping the Momentum Going Strong
Greetings Patrick Henry Families,
December has officially arrived, bringing with it the excitement of the holidays and the inevitable "December Dash," that period where our students must balance school commitments with all the festive energy around them. It is a critical time for us to work together to ensure that we finish the calendar year strong, ready to embrace a successful second semester.
Focus and Finesse: The Upcoming MAP Assessments
A key component of finishing strong is our upcoming winter administration of the NWEA MAP Growth assessments on Tuesday, December 10th and Wednesday, December 11th.
These assessments are not about a grade; they are important tools that show us where each student is growing and where they might need more support in Reading and Math. They help our teachers tailor instruction to meet individual needs.
How you can help: Please ensure your student is well-rested and has a healthy breakfast on both days. We ask that all students bring their fully charged Chromebook. A rested and prepared student is a student ready to show what they know!
Upholding Our Values During the Dash
As the pace quickens, it is essential that we all recommit to our school-wide values: Respectful, Responsible, and Safe.
Respectful: This month, we focus on respect for the learning environment. Please remind your student that our classrooms remain places of focus and hard work, even when excitement is high. Showing respect for their teachers and classmates ensures everyone can learn effectively.
Responsible: Responsibility right now means diligent time management. Encourage your student to use a digital or traditional planner. Finishing the semester strong requires them to be responsible for their assignments and their focus.
Safe: This pertains not only to physical safety but to emotional and digital safety. We encourage parents model what safe looks like by actively supervising new technological gifts that may arrive this month and ensuring our students maintain safe and positive online interactions.
The Best Way to Prepare for January is to Focus on December
The goal is not to sprint to the finish line, but to maintain a steady, focused pace. By emphasizing sleep, healthy routines, and accountability over the next few weeks, we are not only ensuring strong academic results now, but we are also setting our students up for a seamless and successful return in January.
Thank you for your partnership. I wish all of our families a focused, peaceful, and warm month ahead.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey Noll
November 2, 2025
Resilience, Gratitude, and the PHMS Values
November gives us a special opportunity to reflect on what it means to live out our school values. Being respectful, responsible, and safe through the lens of resilience and gratitude. These two qualities are at the heart of how we grow as learners and community members.
Resilience is what helps us to keep moving forward when things don’t go as planned. It’s about learning from mistakes, finding new solutions, and maintaining a positive attitude even when faced with challenges. When students show resilience, they are also showing responsibility. Taking ownership of their actions, their learning, and their responses to difficulties. A responsible student doesn’t give up when something feels hard; they reflect, adjust, and try again.
Gratitude reminds us to recognize the good in our lives and in others. When students practice gratitude, they naturally become more respectful. Acknowledging the efforts of their teachers, classmates, and families. A simple “thank you,” a kind note, or offering help to a peer are all small acts that strengthen our school culture and make it a place where everyone feels valued.
Both resilience and gratitude also connect to being safe. Not just in the physical sense, but emotionally as well. When we create an environment where students feel appreciated and supported, they’re more willing to take risks in learning, express their ideas, and recover from mistakes. Emotional safety is what allows resilience to grow.
This month, I encourage our families to have conversations about these connections at home. Ask your student, “What’s something that challenged you this week?” or “Who are you thankful for at school?” These reflections help reinforce the values we strive to live by each day at Patrick Henry.
As we head into the Thanksgiving season, I want to share my gratitude for our students, staff, and families. Your daily efforts to be respectful, responsible, and safe, even in the face of challenges, make our school community truly special.
With gratitude,
Jeffrey Noll
October 5, 2025
Fall Parent-Teacher Conferences
As we move into the heart of fall, one of the most valuable opportunities of the school year is just around the corner, our Parent-Teacher Conferences. These conversations give us a chance to celebrate student growth, discuss challenges, and work together to support each child’s success.
This year, conferences will be held on Thursday, October 23, 2025, and Tuesday, October 28, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Teachers will begin meeting with families starting at 4:30 p.m.
To help you make the most of your time, here are a few tips:
Bring Questions: Think ahead about what you’d like to know—How is my child doing socially? What strengths do you see in the classroom? How can I best support learning at home?
Share Insights: You know your child best. Sharing what motivates them, what they enjoy, and where they may struggle helps us tailor support more effectively.
Stay Focused on Growth: Conferences are a great chance to set goals together. Ask about progress since the start of the year and what the next steps should be.
Celebrate Success: It’s important to pause and acknowledge the positive—every child has accomplishments to be proud of!
As we get closer to conferences, please be on the lookout for additional information including scheduling conferences with teachers and teams, as well as other opportunities to engage with the PHMS community during the evenings of conferences.
We look forward to connecting with you on these evenings. When schools and families work together, students benefit the most. Thank you for taking the time to be an active partner in your child’s middle school journey.
Warmly,
Jeffrey Noll
September 1, 2025
NWEA MAP Testing Coming Soon!
On Tuesday, September 9th and Wednesday, September 10th, our middle school students will be taking the NWEA MAP tests in both math and reading. These assessments are not about grades or passing/failing—they are tools that give teachers valuable information about each child’s current strengths and areas for growth. The results help us personalize instruction and set meaningful goals so that every student can continue to grow throughout the year.
Parents often wonder how they can support their child during testing. The best preparation is simple: keep routines steady and predictable. A good night’s sleep, a healthy breakfast, and arriving to school on time make a big difference. You can also encourage your child with positive reminders, such as: “Work hard!" "Do your best!" and “This is a chance to show what you know!” These words help students approach the test with confidence rather than pressure.
We want students to remember that the MAP test is just one snapshot of their learning. It does not define who they are or what they can achieve. With your support at home and our encouragement at school, students will be ready to do their best!
Warmly,
Jeffrey Noll
August 1, 2025
Dear Patrick Henry Families,
I hope this message finds you rested, rejuvenated, and ready for a fantastic school year ahead. I am honored and excited to begin the new year as the Principal of Patrick Henry Middle School. As a Patrick Henry alum and parent of two Patrick Henry alumni, and serving as your Assistant Principal for the last 8 years, I feel privileged to continue this journey to partner with you to create an environment where every child can succeed.
A Continued Commitment
Having already learned alongside our amazing staff, students, and families, I’ve experienced the strength of our community firsthand. The Patrick Henry commitment remains the same: to ensure every child experiences success and feels valued.
Our Shared Values: Respectful, Responsible, and Safe
This year, we are continuing to emphasize our three core values:
● Be Respectful – We speak and act with kindness, valuing one another's differences and contributions.
● Be Responsible – We own our actions, meet expectations, and take pride in our learning.
● Be Safe – We care for ourselves and others by making safe choices both inside and outside the classroom.
These values will guide everything we do—from classroom routines to school wide events—and help us create a positive learning environment for all.
Important Back-to School Information
We want to draw particular attention to our Panther Preview Day on Monday, August 18th. We invite all students and families to join us on this day to get their new class schedule, meet their teachers, locate their locker, take school pictures, get bus information, and more. The doors open at noon, and teachers will be available in their classrooms from 1:00 – 8:00 p.m. Please review the Panther Preview Day Information located in this newsletter regarding specific times and details.
Let’s Make It a Great Year
I’m grateful to begin this new chapter with you and can’t wait to see all the amazing things our students will accomplish.
Here’s to a year of learning, growing, and leading—with respect, responsibility, and safety at the heart of it all.
Warmly,
Jeffrey Noll